modem

short for: MOdulator, DEModulator

A hardware device you connect to your computer and to a phone line. It enables the computer to talk to other computers through the phone system. Basically, modems do for computers what a telephone does for humans.

Generally, there are three types of modem: external, PC card, and internal.

Most computers now have internal modems so you can plug the telephone cord directly into the back of the computer.